If you're anything like me, chances are you might be running around just moments before leaving on a trip, trying to remember everything you need to pack. Well, I have a link for you that might make things a little easier ... The Universal Packing List. After entering a few specific details about where you're going, when and how you're getting there, it will generate a packing list tailored to you for your trip. I know, you can thank me later.
Labels: The Universal Packing List, travel, what to pack
Frontier Airlines is now flying to Colorado Springs. It's one of several new markets for the airline.
With Frontier's fleet of ten Bombardier Q400 planes, which each have 74-seats, the company will also begin flying to Durando-La Plata County Airport in Durago, Colo., Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, Colo., and Walker Field Airport in Grand Junction, Colo., in late April and early May. Those flights will be nonstop from Denver, opening up a new option for air travelers.
"With its dynamic growth and diverse business and leisure interests, Colorado Springs has long been a destination that was at the top of our list for intra-Colorado expansion," said Frontier President and CEO Sean Menke in a statement. "However, prior to the growth of our new fleet of Q400 aircraft we didn't have the right aircraft to make Colorado Springs service a reality. We are proud to say that with the start of today's service we now offer our unmatched customer service and great fares in the two largest cities in Colorado, and we look forward to our upcoming launches to several more of Colorado's top destinations. Thank you to all the Frontier and Lynx and employees who have worked so hard to make today's launch of service to Colorado Springs a success."
Labels: airline
With the warmer weather nearly upon us here in the Northeast, thoughts of trips to outdoor amusement parks quickly fill our heads. But how to best enjoy them and make the most of your time there? Woman's Day to the rescue. In a recent issue of the magazine, they shared their top six tips for surviving your next trip to the theme park.
Theme Park Survival Guide
* Get there early. "The first two hours a park is open are the least crowded," says Mary Waring of MouseSavers.com. "You often won't have to wait for the most popular rides during this time."
* Carry just the essentials, and skip the backpack. It invites pickpockets and is awkward to stow on rides.
* Bring along blister relief like bandages and moleskin. Believe it or not, you can log 5-12 miles of walking a day at large parks like Disney. Check preschoolers' feet frequently - they probably won't say they're getting a blister until it's too late.
* Take a break. "Many people want to get the most for their money, so they rush around and try to do every attraction," says Disney guide author Bob Sehlinger. "But when you and the kids get tired and irritable, focus on what would feel best. A swim at the hotel? A nap? After all, this is supposed to be fun."
* Prioritize. "Before you go, have each child choose several of his or her must-do or must-see attractions. Hit those first so no one's disappointed at the end of the day," says Waring.
* "Decide up front how much you'll spend on souvenirs per child and stay on budget," says Michele Perry of TripAdvisor.com. "Let them spend it on whatever they want, but when it's gone, it's gone."
Labels: amusement park, Disneyworld, theme park
If you're a Simpsons fan, then you may be excited about the new ride opening up this Spring at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. At Krustyland, the low-budget theme park put together by Krusty the Clown, you can check out the ride and visit with all your favorite Simpsons characters.
Photo courtesy of Universal Studios.
Labels: The Simpsons, Universal Studios
Royal Caribbean recently announced their My Time Dining option, which is a new dining option onboard select Royal Caribbean International ships and sailings, designed to give cruise passengers more dining flexibility.
Choose when you dine and who you dine with, any day of your cruise vacation! The My Time Dining option allows you more flexibility to plan your daily activities. Want to linger awhile at the pool and catch the day's last rays? No problem. Worked up an appetite on a shore excursion and want to dine early? Done. Our My Time Dining option is all about convenience and flexibility. You can choose to dine in our Main Dining room between 6:00 and 9:30 pm each evening. You can decide on a daily basis what works for you. For your convenience, we will accept reservations once onboard the ship.
Labels: Royal Caribbean
If you are going to do the Alps, this is the way to do it.
The new AlpinResort Kuehtai give you the ski to the door experience. Imagine it: you hop out the front door and onto a ski lift. You ski all morning and then glide up to the door, take off the skis and take a break for a gourmet homecooked meal (you'll have to provide that part) in your luxurious rental with a great kitchen overlooking the Alps . . .
The luxury-class vacation apartments are located in Kuehtai, Austria, and are a mere 35 kilometers (that's about 27 3/4 miles) from Innsbruck. The resort has a full automated check-in and-out that uses a terminal in the front lobby. The apartments range from 150 to 525 square feet and are appointed with internet, fireplaces, and saunas (kitchens too!). There is also a fitness center, parking garage and heated ski and shoe rooms.
Photos courtesy of AlpinResort
Labels: AlpinResort, ski vacations, vacation rentals
Eloise would be pleased.
The Plaza hotel in Manhattan, setting of the delightful book Eloise, is back.
After two years of renovations to the entire building, The Plaza is slated to reopen on March 1. The Plaza, owned by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, closed in 2005 for a $400 million renovation that touched every part of the famed five-star hotel from lobby to roof.
The Plaza is filled with 282 lavish hotel rooms, retail stores, and restaurants. Think gold, marble and the most amazing fabrics.
A grand opening celebration is planned for May.
"This dramatic renovation has restored The Plaza's famous spaces to their previous opulence and raised standards for luxury hotels around the world through unrivaled service and extraordinary amenities," said Chris Cahill, President and COO, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Among the amenities is white glove butler service for each room.
"The Plaza team is passionate about delivering the highest level of service to the most discerning travelers," said Shane Krige, general manager. "We will pamper our guests with personal touches, and offer one-of-a-kind amenities not available anywhere else in the city. Our iconic hotel will continue to host legendary events, from the most intimate to the most lavish, in our restored Grand Ballroom and throughout the hotel with the re-opening of the historic Palm Court, and the debuts of the new Champagne Bar and Rose Club."
Labels: The Plaza
Seems like lately Doha has become a popular vacation retreat, go figure. Given that news, it's no wonder that W Hotels recently announced that they are planning to open up their first hotel in Doha by mid-2008.
It will feature 291 guest rooms and suites, 156 luxury serviced apartments and four dedicated meeting rooms, and will be located in the West Bay area of the city.
For more information, visit www.starwoodhotels.com, and, of course, book it with me when you're ready for your next vacay.
One of the drags about frequent airline travel is the long security lines waiting for you at the airport. Now there is a way around that. Register for your Clear card with Fly Clear and long waits at the security checkpoint will be a thing of the past.
After a background check and a few other formalities, you will be issued a thin credit-card sized card that you will use in a separate line at the check-points. Right now, Clear can be used at five major airport hubs, including San Francisco, JFK and Orlando, with more on the way.
Clear® is the leading airport security fast pass program. Clear members are pre-screened and provided with a high-tech card which allows them to access designated airport security fast lanes nationwide. Clear members pass through airport security faster, with more predictability and less hassle.
Clear's first year price is $99.95. You can lock-in this rate by purchasing a two-year membership for $199.90 or three years for $299.85.
Labels: Fly Clear, security check-points
If you have a PDA, Blackberry or a car that automatically updates the time when there's a change, then you may have been a tad befuddled yesterday as all the devices thought that daylight savings time was yesterday. Normally, it would have been, but recent legislation changed the date from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in November. So heads up, it's this coming Sunday.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a reminder that daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4, one week later than in recent years. When daylight saving time ends, clocks will be set back one hour, providing an additional hour of daylight in the morning. Federal law does not require any area to observe daylight saving time. But if a state chooses to observe daylight saving time, it must follow the starting and ending dates set by the law.
In those parts of the country that do not observe daylight time, no resetting of clocks is required. Those states and territories include Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas. Daylight saving time is a change in the standard time of each time zone. Time zones were first used in the United States in 1883 by the railroads to standardize their schedules. In 1918, Congress made the railroad zones official under federal law and assigned the responsibility for any changes that might be needed to the Interstate Commerce Commission. In the Uniform Time Act of 1966, Congress established uniform dates for daylight saving time and transferred responsibility for the time laws to the U.S. Department of Transportation. For more information, visit www.dot.gov.
Labels: daylight saving time
The times, they are a-changing. If you don't have a current, up-to-date passport, you might seriously start to think about getting one now, as the requirements are set to change in 2008.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) once fully implemented will require all travelers entering or reentering the United States to be in the possession of a valid passport.
Anticipated Implementation
October 1, 2007 - The departments of State and Homeland Security reestablished the valid passport requirements for air travel. Valid passports are required for air travel to/from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
US lawful permanent residents will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551) issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other valid evidence of permanent residence status to apply for entry to the United States.
As early as Summer 2008 - A valid passport will be required for all sea and air travel. And subject to US Government amendment, US and Canadian citizens 15 or younger with their parents consent may cross the US/Canadian border by land or sea with a certified copy of their birth certificate.
Until that time
Sea Travel Only
For domestic travel which includes: the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, a passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended.
In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original or certified copy), plus laminated picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required. Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth (except for new borns) are not acceptable.
For US Naturalized citizens, in the absence of a passport, Naturalization papers (either original or notarized copy) plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required.
A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship.
Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID.
International Travel
A valid passport is required; visas are required where they apply. This includes Europe, Asia, Central and South America.
Labels: passport requirements
Disney-MGM Studios is undergoing a facelift of sorts - in January, it will be renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios. Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a recent press release, "The new name reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today's Hollywood has to offer -- in music, television, movies and theater," she said. Along with the name change, there are also new attractions on the way. "As Disney continues to grow and invest in our family entertainment business, we constantly explore new ways to deliver high-quality, immersive experiences for our guests," she said. "As a park all about entertainment, Disney's Hollywood Studios will deliver like never before. Now we can say that Hollywood is literally our middle name."
Toy Story Mania, an interactive competition inspired by Disney Pixar's "Toy Story" films will be added to the park next summer. Block Party Bash, an interactive parade, will also be added in the Spring. If that isn't enough, Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage! will have a new cast from Playhouse Disney starting in February and Disney High School Musical 2: School's Out! will feature all new songs this fall. Handy Manny is always slated to arrive later this year.
Sounds like as great a time as any to visit the happiest place on Earth. Planning a trip to Disney? Drop me a line - I'd love to help you out.
Photo from Disneyworld.com
Labels: Disney vacation, Disney's MGM Studios, Disneyworld
Planning a trip to Universal Studios? You might want to wait until '08 as The Simpsons are now set to arrive in the Spring. A new mega-attraction featuring the family from TV's longest-running series is heading for Florida. The new fantasy amusement park will feature thrill rides, dark rides and "live" shows headed up by the show's cantankerous Krusty the Clown.
Photo from Universal Studios.
Labels: Florida, Harry Potter, Krusty the Clown, The Simpsons, Universal Studios
Comfort Suites, Quality Inn and Sleep Inn locations throughout the US have upgraded their bedding. What's in store for you?
At Comfort Suites hotels, you'll enjoy higher quality sheets, a soft fleece blanket, premium duvet and more.
At Quality hotels, you'll sleep soundly on softer padding, nicer sheets and more pillows.
And at Sleep Inn hotels, the upgraded bedding features nicer sheets and more pillows.
Photo from Choice.
Labels: Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn
The Hertz Corporation recently announced that they are expanding their company-wide environmental initiatives. To start with, they are making a $1 million donation to the National Park Foundation, and a donation of $250,000 to benefit The Mayor's Fund for the Advancement of New York City, in recognition of the Mayor Michael Bloomberg's environmental efforts. Additionally, Hertz has expended their signature Green Collection, a group of environmentally friendly, fuel efficient, family-sized vehicles, with an upcoming planned $68 million investment in 3,400 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles, which can be reserved when making your reservations.
Hertz already has 105,000 EPA SmartWay certified cars in their fleet, and more than 64% (268,000 cars) of their rental fleet gets 28 mpg or greater fuel efficiency and 42.4% of the fleet (176,500 cars) achieves 34 mpg or greater fuel efficiency.
Labels: going green, Hertz
Did you know Continental Airlines has their own auction site? Yeah, I didn't either. Now you can use your miles for other fun things besides airline travel ... like broadway tickets, sporting event admissions, home theater recliners and more. They have recently revamped their OnePass® Online Auction site with a fresh new look and added features. You can search by category or see everything at once. Their collection of items changes all the time, and includes many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Happy bidding!
Check out all the details right here.
Picture from Continental.
Labels: auction, Continental Airlines, OnePass
The four-night package includes:
- a Thanksgiving dinner served at the nearby Inn at Sunapee
- shopping and home décor workshops (as well as more than $300 in discounts to nearby Tanger Outlets in Tilton)
- private, after-hour sales in nearby shops on November 23 and 24, exclusively for the inn's guests, inclusive of hors d'oeuvres and light refreshments
- a daily "candlelight and crystal" breakfast.
The Rosewood Country Inn's four-night Home Harvest package is available November 21 through the 25th. It starts at $516/couple (standard room) and includes a complimentary Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings at the Inn at Sunapee.
Fireplace suites start at $676. Price does not include tax and gratuity.
Want to go? Let me know and I'll hook you up.
Photo from their website.
Labels: New Hampshire, Rosewood Country Inn, shopping, Thanksgiving
This should make a lot of regular business travelers very happy. It looks like Virgin Atlantic Airways will be launching an all-business class airline within the next year, flying from Paris, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich non-stop to New York and other US cities, at least in its initial beginning phase.
They will also, of course, fly from London to the US. The new airline, which may also use the Virgin Atlantic name, plans to offer better quality than existing all-business carriers at the same or lower prices.
Photo from their website.
Labels: airfare, airline, business class flights, Virgin Atlantic
The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is offering two packages this summer:
- The "Stay Longer" package gives you a third night free with every two consecutive paid nights and full American breakfast for two daily in Seasons restaurant or via room service. This special is available through Sept. 3. Nightly room rates start at $485.
- The "Art of Romance" package gives you a $100 dinner credit in Seasons, one express entry pass per room for one-time entry for two persons to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and champagne on arrival. This package is available now through Dec. 31 from $545 per night.
Interested? Drop me a line and I'll hook you up.
Labels: Four Season San Francisco, hotel promotions, summer vacation
Disney is taking their cruise to the European waters, as Disney Magic makes its maiden voyage to Europe this summer. While on board, kids will be able to partake in a variety of different activities, including crafting mosaic tiles, learning how to make crepes, and even producing puppet shows.
Embark on a magical journey from picture-perfect Barcelona through the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. Stand in the shadow of the volcano Etna on Sicily, before spending a day shopping and sightseeing in the romantic city of Rome. Tour the Notre Dame de la Garde in the south of France before taking a short jaunt from Villefranche and trying your luck at the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo.Disney is running a few specials to celebrate summer, and some of the cruises are as low as $80 per person/per day. Interested in setting sail with Mickey and the crew? Drop me a line.
Photo from Disney's site.
Labels: Barcelona, Disney cruises, Disney Magic, Etna, Europe, France, Mediterranean, Mickey, Monte Carlo, Notre Dame de la Garde, Rome, Sicily, vacation, Villefranche
Choice Hotels has announced its $50 gas card summer promotion available to Easy Choice participants. Every time you stay at any of the 1,000+ Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotels in the US, you'll collect Easy Choice stamps. Collect and redeem six stamps between June 1 and August 16, and you'll receive a free $50 gas card. Each night earns one stamp and up to five stamps can be accumulated per stay. Want to book a stay? Drop me a line - happy to help.
Labels: Chocie Hotels, Disney vacation, Easy Choice, gas card program, hotel
The Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey is now offering their "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" package. The package includes overnight accommodations in a deluxe room (on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday night) and a $200 credit that can be used in any of the hotel's dining venues or full-service, European-style Spa at Short Hills.
The package is available for $369 per room per night, subject to availability. Ready to make a get-away? Drop me a line and I'll hook you up.
Photo from their website.
Labels: girls getaway, Hilton, Short Hills
Royal Caribbean International has welcomed its newest ship to the fleet. Their 21st ship is the 160,000-ton Liberty of the Seas, and it arrived in the US a few weeks ago. It is the world's largest cruise ship right along with RCCL's Freedom of the Seas, and it features all new programming in wellness, weddings, and family and teen activities. The new programming includes the Vitality wellness program; Explorer Weddings, for couples looking to tie the knot in extreme style; and new family programming introducing Adventure Theater, DJ classes, Chefs on Deck, and the Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program.
The cruise ship holds 3,634 guests double occupancy, and highlights include the FlowRider surf simulator, cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 feet above the ocean, the H2O Zone water park, full boxing ring and the Royal Promenade entertainment boulevard. The ship has more than 20 restaurants and lounges.
The Liberty sailed its maiden voyage on May 19 from its homeport of Miami. Liberty will depart on Saturdays and alternate between seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The Western Caribbean itinerary will call at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private destination in Haiti. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls at San Juan, St. Maarten and Labadee.
A third Freedom-class ship, the Independence of the Seas, is scheduled to debut in Europe in May 2008. Sailing from the U.K., it will be the largest ship to be homeported in Europe.
Ready to climb aboard? Drop me a line.
Photo from RCCL.
Labels: cruise, cruise line, cruising, Eastern Caribbean, Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, Western Caribbean
Families all over are starting to plan their summer vacations and will soon be on their way. The folks at Doubletree Hotel are getting ready for their annual fun and educational tradition with the Doubletree KidsCarePak program. In their 130 family-friendly destinations across North America, along with The National Arbor Day Foundation, Doubletree Hotels is equipping families with several nature-themed games and activities to help them discover the great outdoors. The complimentary "earth-packs" are filled with outdoor-friendly tools and toys and are presented to guests ages 3-12 staying with their families at participating Doubletree hotels from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Included in this year's durable, earth-themed souvenir sling canvas kidsCAREpak are: binoculars; a Hacky Sack; a rainforest-themed flying saucer; activity book and crayons; and playing cards. The packs are offered at no additional charge to guests traveling with children between the ages of three and 12 at participating hotels from May 25 to Sept. 3, 2007. For more information, call 800-222-TREE or visit http://www.doubletree.com/kidscarepakIf you're ready to plan your next vacation, drop me a line. I'd be happy to help.
Photo from Doubletree.
Labels: Doubletree hotel, kid-friendly hotels, KidsCarePack, National Arbor Day Foundation
Our family is partial to cruises, because there is very little thought involved ... no figuring out dinner reservations or how you're going to get to your next destination. It's all taken care of for you. If you're thinking about booking a cruise, you might want to check out www.cruisemates.com. Packed with practical advice (how to choose the best cabin, which ports are duds), you'll also find reviews and itineraries for more than 20 different cruise lines, written by not only cruisers, but also staffers. And, of course, when you're ready to book your cruise, e-mail me.
Labels: cabin, cruise, cruise line, cruises
It's a slippery slope when buying plane tickets, isn't it? Do you take the fare that is available today, or wait in case it drops a bit? You might want to check out www.farecast.com first. This airfare-prediction engine can help you make your decision with its fare-history chart for 75 cities. It will even predict next week's rate. There's no fee to use it, and the site claims a 70-75% accuracy rate overall. Certainly can't hurt.
Labels: airfare, plane tickets
Kathleen Ameche gives some fantastic tips on how to pack efficiently in her book The Woman Road Warrior: A Woman's Guide to Business Travel
- Gather all the garments you anticipate needing. Then put half of them back. Select clothes in the same color family, packing more tops than bottoms. For a five-day trip, you'll likely need five shirts, two pairs of slacks or jeans, and one skirt. The average 22-inch check-in bag fits roughly two pairs of jeans, three sweaters, two dresses and five shirts.
- Choose knits, wools and cottons. These fabrics tend to resist wrinkles and are versatile (some garments can do double duty, like yoga pants that moonlight as pajamas).
- Roll softer garments and fold stiffer ones. Underwear, t-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won't wrinkle when rolled tightly. Stiffer fabrics, such as starched cotton shirts, blazers, dressy pants, and skirts, should be carefully folded.
- Arrange rolled items in the bottom of the bag. Think of your suitcase as a three-layer cake. The suitcase is the icing; the rolled items make up the first layer.
- Place folded garments next. For your (cream filling) middle layer, start with the longest items, like skirts and slacks. Stack the garments on top of each other, alternating waists with hems. Position the pile flush with the suitcase, draping leftover fabrics over the opposite end. (This conserves spaces since thick waistbands won't be piled on top of one another.) Wrap the draping ends of the pile into the center. Next, lay collars of shorter items, like shirts, at the hinge with the ends over the handles. Fold the collars and ends over once and fold the arms in.
- Cover the pile with a dry-cleaning bag. It's like Botox for your clothes. Because of the bag's slippery surface, folded clothes don't stay in one place long enough for creases to set. Easy upgrade: Place a bag between each layer of clothing. To get to a certain layer easily, simply pull the ends of the bag up on either side.
- Top the pile with the clothes you'll need first. Anything goes with your top layer - a bathing suit or pajamas.
- Snake belts around the perimeter of the bag. This cradles your three layers.
Labels: Judy Gilford, Kathleen Ameche, packing tips, suitcases, travel tips
Want to travel in style, right down to your passport? Then you may want to pick up one of these fancy schmancy leather passport holders.
A steal at just $20, they come in a dizzying array of soft-hued colors. If not for yourself, then it's a perfect going away gift for your favorite friend.
Labels: passport holder, Vera Bradley
Heading to Maui this summer? You may want to check into the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. They have recently completed a $50 million + investment and updated their facilities and services.
They have redesigned their three restaurants, and renovated 380 rooms and suites. During the renovations, they "added HD-ready LG 42-inch plasma TVs connected to DVD players with photo card slots, as well as alarm clocks that host iPod and MP3 players. Surfboard-shaped writing desks feature pop-up electric panels equipped with outlets, and high-speed wireless Internet access is now available throughout the resort. The resort also modernized its in-room coffee and refreshment centers and updated the oversized bathrooms with new lighting, fixtures, marble tile, dark wood vanities and all-glass shower enclosures. One of the last transformations was changing the Pacific Grill into the recently opened Duo, featuring the dual choice of prime steak and seafood in a luxurious poolside garden setting."
Ready to book a trip? Drop me a line, I'm happy to help.
Photo from their website.
Labels: Four Seasons Resort Maui, Hawaii, Wailea
Now may be the perfect time. The Venetian has recently renovated their suites and they now feature a very modern European design with Art Deco hints. Why does this matter? Besides getting a newly refurbished room, they are also offering them at rates of $199/night to celebrate, and that includes a complimentary glass of Champagne with purchase of an entree at David Burke and $20 in promotional slot credits.
Venetian Shows
Enjoy an evening of exuberant entertainment.
World-Class Dining
The Venetian hosts 18 acclaimed restaurants.
Canyon Ranch Spa Club
Check out our leading-edge health spa and fitness oasis.
Interested in visiting? Drop me a line.
Labels: Canyon Ranch Spa Club, David Burke, Las Vegas, The Venetian
